Watch- Phil Salt smacks 30 runs off Romario Shepherd's over as England win big vs West Indies

Swashbuckling English batter Phil Salt showcased his destructive batting skills against the West Indies in the Super 8 stage match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Phil Salt smashed Windies all-rounder Romario Shepherd for 30 runs in an over during his side's first Super 8 encounter in the ICC tournament.

England skipper Jos Buttler opted to bowl first after winning the toss at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Thursday, June 20. The home team scored 180 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs. In response, the Jos Buttler-led team chased down the target with 15 deliveries and 8 wickets to spare.

Chasing an 181-run target, England got off to a flying start as openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt added 58 runs in the power play. However, the England skipper failed to capitalize on his start and was dismissed for 25 runs off 22 balls. Roston Chase provided a breakthrough by trapping England's skipper in the 8th over.

Watch- Phil Salt Smashes 30 Runs Off Romario Shepherd

Phil Salt continued his aggressive batting after Jos Buttler's early dismissal. The young wicketkeeper batter formed a crucial partnership with Jonny Bairstow for the third wicket to boost England's chances of securing victory in the game. Salt targeted Romario Shepherd and scored 30 runs off his over during the match. 

During the 16th over of England's innings, Phil Salt launched a brutal assault when the team needed 40 runs from the final five overs. The right-handed batter hit Romario Shepherd for a boundary off the first ball to reach his half-century, followed by smashing a six down the ground off the second delivery.

Salt played a uppercut on the third delivery followed by two massive sixes off Romario Shepherd. The opening batter ended the over with a boundary, amassing 30 runs off the over. He remained unbeaten on 87 runs off 47 deliveries, with the help of seven boundaries and five maximums in the Super 8 match.

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Backed My Self To Take On Romario Shepherd - Phil Salt

Phil Salt was awarded Player of the Match for his half-century against the West Indies. He mentioned that the team faced challenges against spin in the middle overs. Salt admitted that he backed himself to take on Romario Shepherd, especially with favorable conditions like the wind and one short boundary.

"I like batting here, but I'm more happy to have contributed to a good team win. It was tough against spin in the middle overs, but I knew pace would come at some stage, the wind was blowing at one end, there was one short boundary and I backed myself to take on him (on his 30-run over against Shephard)."

"There was a period where I didn't face too many balls, the boundaries had dried up, but Jonny (Bairstow) took the pressure off me with his calculated hitting, his knock was very crucial," Salt said.

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